Another game, another loss and it just keeps getting worse for the New York Jets and their head coach Eric Mangini. Last year’s Mangenius looks more like Mandoofus, as the Gang Green keep getting outcoached and outplayed week after week. For the first time in 10 years the Jets were swept by the Buffalo Bills who defeated them at the Meadowlands 13-3.
The game began with a 10-minute Bills’ drive that ended with a field goal, as Buffalo took a 3-0 lead. The Jets responded with a rather impressive running attack and tied the score early in the second quarter. PK Mike Nugent converted a 27-yard field goal attempt, 3-3. Sadly, the first Jets’ drive in this game turned out to be their only scoring one. Both teams struggled offensively for the remainder of the second quarter, while both defenses came out with takeaways. First, rookie CB Darrelle Revis recorded first interception of his NFL career. Then, six minutes later, RB Leon Washington fumbled the ball on a 3rd and one deep inside Buffalo’s territory.
After an uneventful third quarter that did not add any points to the scoreboard, the Bills scored on their first possession of the final period. Following a 12-yard punt return close to midfield, seven plays later the Bills converted a 40-yard field goal attempt, 6-3. The Chad Pennington led Jets’ offense failed to answer again, as their ensuing drive got stalled on the Bills’ 41-yard line. P Ben Graham pinned the Bills on their 3-yard line and then four plays later JP Losman connected threw a deep strike to Lee Evans who ran outplayed two Jets’ defenders and ran away for an 85-yard touchdown, 13-3. With less than four minutes left in the quarter Eric Mangini finally realized that it was time for a quarterback change. QB Kellen Clemens threw a few nice passes, quickly moving the team inside the Bills’ territory but then threw an interception that sealed Buffalo’s victory.
QB Chad Pennington finished the game 13 of 20 for just 106 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT. The running attack averaged over 5 yards per carry in the first half and one can only wonder why the Gang Green did not run the ball more in the second half of the game. We also can only wonder why it took Mangini three-plus quarters and a 10-point deficit to make the quarterback change. He put Clemens in when the game had already been basically decided and when the Bills’ defense expected only passing plays from the Jets. Is that the best way to determine if your backup quarterback can lead the team?
Rookie LB David Harris started in place of injured LB Jonathan Vilma and recorded 17 tackles (10 solo) and a sack. CB Darrelle Revis had two pass defenses besides his first half interception. RB Thomas Jones averaged 4.4 yards per carry but was given the ball only 16 times. He also caught 5 passes for 34 yards. WR Laveranues Coles caught just one pass and got injured on that play.
Next Sunday the Jets (1-7) will host the Washington Redskins (4-3). The kickoff is at 1PM EST.